Home has been good to the NIU women’s soccer team.

After losing three of five road games while scoring just one goal to open the season, the Huskies (4-4-2, 0-0-2) have rebounded with a 2-1-2 record at home. The most telling stat - seven goals in five games.

NIU will get two more home games this weekend against MAC opponents Ohio and Akron before hitting the road next week.

“We need to keep the intensity up this weekend,” said NIU goalie Meaghan Bennett. “We’ve been home for awhile now, so it will be quite the momentum change.”

Friday’s opponent, the Ohio Bobcats (3-5-1, 0-1-1), has gone 2-1-1 in its last four contests after a rough start to the season, but has been shut out by Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan to open MAC play.

“It doesn’t matter how they have played recently,” said NIU head coach Carrie Barker. “The conference is so tight that anyone can beat anyone. Every game is huge.”

The Huskies offense will look to take advantage of a Bobcats team that has been outscored by the opposition 18-9.

On Sunday, NIU will have another opportunity to establish themselves as MAC contenders when the Akron Zips (2-4-2, 0-1-1) come to DeKalb.

“Everyone is trying to figure out where they stand in the conference,” Barker said. “We have to come out and represent ourselves well.”

The Zips have struggled defensively, giving up an average of two goals per game, including seven goals to Nebraska.

Akron hasn’t won a contest in nearly a month, giving the Huskies a good chance to build momentum before their showdown next Friday with Kent State (6-3-0, 2-0-0).

“It’s important to end this home stretch on a high note,” Bennett said.

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